LEGAL SLAVERY.

Dominion, Volume 3, Issue 871, 18 July 1910, Page 2

LEGAL SLAVERY.

Sir,—New Zealand ut present has the finest body of restrictive labour laws possessed by any part of the British Empire. Legislation shadowed by tho At-torney-General, in addition to that already on tho Statute BoQk, will also give us the most stringent penal enactments in forco in any p&rt of the Umpire. Trial by jury will soon cense to exist in New Zealand. The right will to a great intent be taken away. In some Acts already passed and uthers that ;ire coming, the penalties are so eardully minimised that accused persons must submit t» whatever justice may bo meted out to them by the magistracy, paid and un-

paid, of New Zealand. The right ol in-oliibition, the poor man's chance for appeal, was practically wiped out last session by the Inferior Courts' Procedure Act, which also leaves, accused persons almost wholly at the' morcy of the magistracy. Any bookmaker, editor, subeditor, manager, or printer, though knowing nothing of the offence with which he is charged, may, if the proposed legislation be passed, have the broad arrowstamped on his back, and his life's future blotted out without an opportunity of defending himself. before a jury. A brace of justices or the most recent appointee .to the magisterial bench will • have the power to say the final word that will put an end to a man's career: Should the rights and liberties of tlie public be sported with in this manner? 1 might ask in passing: Were all the magistrates appointed by the present Minister for Justice the best men that were available in the ranks of the legal profession? Was the extent of their learning, integrity, and common sense the main and only factors that influenced their appointment? Are they giving unmixed salisiaotion in the districts where they are now dispensing justice? Are the liberties of ■ the editors, sub-editors, printers, and publishers to be jeopardised without trial byjury, and almost without appeal before i such tribunals? Even the despised bookI maker should not have his right cut down without a fair run for his freedoln. What makes matters more dangerous is that Crown prosecutors are in danger of abolition. The subordinate lights from tho Crown Law Office or, in other words, the Minister's legal subordinates, will have charge of prosecutions before hie appointees. Liberty is still worth pro-sen-ing in New Zealand. It is time Parliament should cease to throw away the heritage of centuries. It should put a stop to some of Dr. Findlay's reforms, or at least limit their potency for qualifying fairly honest people for indeterminate sentences, or even any sentences at all, in Dr. Findlay's capuan gaols.—lam, NON VrNCIAArUB.